Patterns of dry-matter distribution in transplanted populations of Trifolium repens and its bearing on ecological interpretations

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Abstract
An experiment was carried out to examine the degree of plasticity of various plant parts in Trifolium repens L. when transplanted from 12 widely different sites to a common garden. Plasticity was structure specific. Inflorescence production displayed the most plastic response after transplanting; leaf and root production were less plastic. Stolon production did not show a plastic response to transplanting but did show significant between-plant variation. These responses may be explained by past selection pressures, acting to maintain the structure which is most important for survival under conditions which have deleterious effects on plant growth. An alternate interpretation suggests that the range of responses may also be explained by different developmental patterns.

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